More problems on the ICW - duckweed!

[RichH]

From the Waterway Guide -
Duckweed Chokes Dismal Swamp Route

Deep Creek Lockmaster Robert Peek reports ongoing issues with the accumulation of duckweed at the lock and canal at Mile 10.5 of the Dismal Swamp Route (ICW route 2). He recommends against using the Dismal Swamp Canal for the next few days. If you can't wait for conditions to improve, use the Virginia Cut Route (ICW route 1) -- and Robert hopes to see you on the way back north (with a conch shell for his garden, of course!).

 

[Chuckbear]

I received this email from Donna Stewart, Director of the Welcome Center, this morning...

As many of you may have heard there is Duckweed in the northern part of the Canal. I wanted you share with you although you must come through the Deep Creek lock to get here, we are clear. I have a boater who had problems after locking through on Saturday and ended up being towed here to our dock on Sunday.

I do believe the folks on the north end are doing everything they can to try to alleviate the problem. I know Robert has relayed they have had challenges. My boaters who had come through heading south last week stated they got out of the weed at about mm14. But we did have 5 boats come through earlier today and our stranded boater talked to 5 of them. He said only one stated an issue with having to clean his strainer……..I don’t know what to say, other than I would suggest you contact the Deep Creek lock for their status. Our South Mills lockmaster says he is clear as we are and we took these photos this afternoon (after Tom Hale called) to verify we are clear as well. I called Elizabeth City yesterday to see if they had complaints outside of the South Mills lock to ECity, but Susan reported she had not received any reports of problems. I’ll try to see if one of our boaters here tonight will call me and advise me of the conditions as they head south.

If we receive further useful information, I’ll let you know.

Donna
Donna Stewart, Director

Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
2356 US Hwy 17N
South Mills, NC 27976
Phone ~ 252-771-8333
www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com

Bird, Bike, Hike….take in the sights!

Chuck

 

[Chuckbear]

As a follow up, I have a first hand report from boats coming south from the Welcome Center this morning that report no Duckweed to Elizabeth City. Have no reports from the north end of the canal today. Chuck